Quick-release spindle for gun tube

Abstract

The breech end of a gun may include a quick-release spindle assembly. A carrier may have a locking collar rotatably disposed therein. The locking collar may have a through-bore and one or more projections extending into the through-bore. The locking collar may be rotatable between spindle lock and spindle release positions. A spindle may be translatably disposed in the through-bore of the locking collar. The spindle may include one or more projections extending radially outward from a rear outer surface of the spindle. In the spindle lock position of the locking collar, the projections of the spindle may be aligned with the projections of the locking collar to thereby prevent translation of the spindle in a forward direction. In the spindle release position of the locking collar, the projections of the spindle may not be aligned with the projections of the locking collar to thereby allow translation of the spindle in a forward direction.

1. An apparatus for a breech end of a gun that fires caseless ammunition, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier having a locking collar rotatably disposed therein, the locking collar having a through-bore and at least one projection extending into the through-bore, the locking collar being rotatable between spindle lock and spindle release positions; and 
 a spindle translatably disposed in the through-bore of the locking collar, the spindle including an enlarged portion at a forward end thereof for engaging an obturator pad assembly, a central bore, and at least one projection extending radially outward from a rear outer surface of the spindle; 
 wherein, in the spindle lock position of the locking collar, the at least one projection of the spindle is aligned with the at least one projection of the locking collar to thereby prevent translation of the spindle in a forward direction, and, in the spindle release position of the locking collar, the at least one projection of the spindle is not aligned with the at least one projection of the locking collar to thereby allow translation of the spindle in the forward direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle fixed to the locking collar for rotating the locking collar between the spindle lock and the spindle release positions, the handle extending through the carrier. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the carrier includes a spindle lock hole, a spindle release hole, and a slot formed between the spindle lock hole and the spindle release hole, the handle being rotatable between the spindle lock hole and the spindle release hole by way of the slot. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the handle includes a spring-loaded sleeve for locking the handle in one of the spindle lock hole and the spindle release hole. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection of the locking collar that extends into the through-bore of the locking collar includes a plurality of projections that extend into the through-bore of the locking collar. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one projection of the spindle that extends radially outward from the rear outer surface of the spindle includes a plurality of projections that extend radially outward from the rear outer surface of the spindle. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein, in the spindle lock position of the locking collar, the plurality of projections of the spindle are aligned with the plurality of projections of the locking collar to thereby prevent translation of the spindle in the forward direction, and, in the spindle release position of the locking collar, the plurality of projections of the spindle are not aligned with the plurality of projections of the locking collar to thereby allow translation of the spindle in the forward direction. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the handle includes a central member fixed to the locking collar and further wherein the spring-loaded sleeve is disposed around the central member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the spindle lock hole and the spindle release hole each include a small diameter bore and a large diameter bore. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the small diameter bores are located radially inward of the large diameter bores. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the spring-loaded sleeve includes a spring with one end that bears against one end of the spring-loaded sleeve and another end that bears against a top of the central member. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining ring disposed in the carrier to hold the locking collar in the carrier.